Media Releases

The IRR puts out in the region of 50 media releases annually drawing attention to its major research and policy findings.

In addition you are welcome, as a journalist, to contact an IRR analyst at any time to help you source a piece of information on South Africa. Contact us for more info.

Free trade: A blessing reviled

25 May 2017 – In a paper released in Johannesburg today, the IRR said that trade liberalisation had helped to lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty. "To finally conquer poverty across the globe," further trade liberalisation was an absolutely essential condition.

White South Africans have the highest quality of life

8 May 2017 – White South Africans have considerably higher quality of life than Coloured, Indian/Asian and Black South Africans, according to a Fast Facts report released today by the South African Institute of Race Relations (IRR). The report also shows that Gauteng and the Western Cape have a significantly higher quality of life than rural provinces.

Soft infrastructure flaws underpin lukewarm global competitiveness

13 April 2017 – Education and healthcare failings are adversely effecting South Africa’s competitiveness as an investment destination in a globalised world. This is according to a Fast Facts report released today by the South African Institute of Race Relations (IRR).

Whether Jacob Zuma stays or goes, the empowerment challenge will remain

4 April 2017 – Whether President Jacob Zuma stays or goes in response to the public outcry over his firing of finance minister Pravin Gordhan is important for many issues, including the terms of any nuclear deal with Russia. However, it will have no impact on South Africa’s most pressing policy challenge of all – how to empower the disadvantaged, says the IRR in a new report published today.